Clinical Features of Ectopic Tooth Occurring in Sinonasal Cavity / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The presence of ectopic tooth in the sinonasal cavity is an unusual phenomenon and the underlying etiology remains unclear. Because of its rarity, clinical observation studies about sinonasal ectopic tooth are very rare. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of ectopic tooth occurring in the sinonasal cavity. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Medical records and radiologic studies of 11 patients, who were treated between January 2006 and June 2012 for ectopic nasal teeth were reviewed retrospectively, with regard to sex, age, location, symptoms and treatment methods. RESULTS: Among 11 patients, 8 patients were male and 3 patients were female. The average age was 24.2 years. Among 7 patients who had symptoms, nasal obstruction was the most common followed by rhinorrhea, postnasal drip, facial swelling or pain, headache. The nasal cavity was the most frequently affected site. Among 14 ectopic teeth from eleven patients, 7 were removed by intrasnasal endoscopy and 2 by external premaxillary approach. Five teeth which were unerupted within the hard palate or maxillary sinus were offered conservative treatment with periodic follow-up. CONCLUSION: Removal of ectopic nasal tooth is generally advocated to alleviate the symptoms and prevent complications; if conservative treatment is decided, periodic monitoring of the patient is recommended. We suggest that treatment be carefully planned based on the symptoms of patients, location of the ectopic tooth, and whether the tooth is erupted or not.